Many superstars who pursue professions in action films make it to Hollywood because of their remarkable physical abilities. Olympic athletes are among them, while others specialize in martial arts or even bodybuilding. Many moviegoers remember these performers as fantastic heroes or villains from unforgettable action films they grew up watching.
1. Sylvester Stallone
Sylvester Stallone is a well-known actor who has portrayed several tough characters in some of the most well-known action films of all time. He has appeared in action films such as Rocky and its sequels, in which he portrays what is arguably Hollywood’s most renowned boxer. He also starred in the film Rambo as a military veteran. His most recent appearance in a film of this genre was in Suicide Squad, where he voiced King Shark, a humanoid shark.
2. Jason Statham
Jason Statham is regarded as one of Hollywood’s fiercest men. And we’re not simply referring to the roles he portrays in films. In reality, few people are aware that he has performed his own stunts in some of his films without even requesting the assistance of a stuntman to direct him. He’s worked on movies like Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels, The Expendables, and the Fast & Furious franchise.
3. Jackie Chan
Chan Kong-Sang, well known in the United States as Jackie Chan (his Hollywood stage name), could not be left out of our list. He’s not only a renowned Kung Fu martial artist, a comedian, and even an acrobat, but he’s also a stuntman. Jackie Chan is one of the rare performers who conducts his stunts in the films in which he appears. Rush Hour, The Karate Kid, and The Spy Next Door are among his most well-known films.
4. Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger began his career as a bodybuilder before going on to become a sci-fi movie superstar thanks to his renowned performance in the first Terminator film, which was released in 1984. Following that, the actor took a sabbatical from acting to pursue a career in politics. In 2012, he made a triumphant return to the big screen with The Expendables 2. He starred with other well-known action movie actors like Bruce Willis, Sylvester Stallone, and Jason Statham, as previously mentioned.
5. Bruce Willis
There’s no way Bruce Willis could be left out of our list. He’s performed in a variety of roles, including a guest appearance on Friends. His most famous roles, though, are undoubtedly those he has portrayed in action films. We’re talking about characters like Officer John McClane from Die Hard, Korben Dallas from The Fifth Element, and Harry Stamper from Armageddon, to name a few. He is married to model Emma Heming and they have five children.
6. Liam Neeson
Liam Neeson rose to prominence after starring in the 1981 film Excalibur. He was noted for his flexibility as an actor from then on. He has taken on the roles of master Jedi, spy, and bodyguard. In many of his roles, he portrays a bold man caught up in major situations that he must resolve either through deception or force. This actor will turn 69 in 2021, yet in the next film The Marksman, he is still a man of action.
7. Jean-Claude Van Damme
Jean-Claude Van Damme is a Belgian actor known for his expertise in martial arts and combat tactics. Like many other aspiring actors, he came to the United States in the early 1980s to find his place as an actor in Hollywood. After appearing in films such as Bloodsport, Kickboxer, Lionheart, and Universal Soldier, he wasn’t long in capturing the public’s attention. Kickboxing, full contact, and karate-do are among Van Damme’s martial arts specialities. In fact, between 1976 and 1980, Van Damme won 44 and lost 4 semi-contact karate fights in tournaments and non-tournament matches.
8. Chuck Norris
Chuck Norris is known for his roles in action movies, but he is also a martial artist. He’s also a former world Tang Soo Do champion from the military. In 1958, he was a member of the Military Police Air Force. After starring alongside Bruce Lee in The Way of the Dragon, he began to demonstrate his skill as a martial artist by winning parts as the protagonist in several legendary action films. Norris won numerous martial arts competitions before establishing his own discipline, Chun Kuk Do.
9. Terry Crews
Terry Crews is another one of Hollywood’s toughest actors. He is a bodybuilder and professional football player who spent time with the Los Angeles Rams, San Diego Chargers, and Washington Redskins as a defensive end and linebacker. He is well-known for his roles in action and pursuit films. Consider the films The Expandables and Deadpool 2. On the other hand, this person isn’t without a sense of humour. In comedies such as White Chicks and Norbit, he is also noted for his amazing charisma.
10. Dolph Lundgren
Dolph Lundgren is a Swedish actor who excels in a variety of martial arts disciplines. He is a black belt in karate and judo, as well as a boxer. He has a master’s degree in chemical engineering and is proficient in six languages, in addition to his physical abilities as a martial artist. In 1985, he had one of his first film appearances in Rocky IV, which drew the attention of the press and the general public. Since then, he’s appeared in several action films, including The Expendables 4.
11. Vin Diesel
Vin Diesel has been playing tough guys since he was a child when he was just starting as an actor. Dominic Toretto from the Fast and Furious franchise is one of his most well-known characters. He has, however, appeared in several other films, including The Chronicles of Riddick, XXX, and Saving Private Ryan. While this man may appear to be far too tough to understand the meaning of tears, he has demonstrated that his voice alone can make fans fall in love. You may be surprised to learn that he voiced Groot in the Marvel film Guardians of the Galaxy.
12. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
Dwayne Johnson is well known as The Rock, his ring moniker. This is understandable given that he was a professional WWE wrestler until 2019 when he retired from the sport to focus solely on his acting career. This man has starred in films like The Fast and the Furious and Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, in which he has taken on action sequences while maintaining his charisma and famous smile, which has made all of his admirers quickly fall in love with him.
Which of your favourite actors do you want to see in an action film?
Preview photo credit Rambo III / Carolco Pictures, officialslystallone /Instagram
